Rick Cleveland, the executive director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, addressed graduates at Fall commencement exercises at The University of Southern Mississippi Friday.

Cleveland, a native of Hattiesburg, is a 1975 graduate of Southern Miss and also an award-winning sports writer. "Do something that makes you happy," was his advice to the more than 1,200 graduates.

Cleveland was introduced by interim university President Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, who also gave him his degree 37 years ago.

"I grew up here, my brother grew up here, we both went to school here," said Cleveland. "My daughter has graduated from here, my son is in school here, so obviously, it means an awful lot to me to be here," he said.

"It is very significant that one of our own can come back today and say something to the graduates and really, to all of us that we will enjoy hearing and benefit from," said Lucas.